**SMART PHONES - UPDATES & MALWARE**

[CharleyO]

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iPhone 5, iOS 6: 10 Factors That Need Rapid Improvement

Apple is one of the more fascinating companies in the technology space. Unlike so many other producers of mobile devices and computers, Apple has found a way to get the market to love each and every device and software solution it launches. With each review, Apple products earn praise. With each purchase, Apple has found another loyal customer that will continue to buy its products for years to come. To some consumers, Apple can do no wrong and that means Apple’s hardware and software can’t be anything but perfect. But once one steps outside the Apple reality distortion field, they start to realize that the company’s products are by no means perfect. In fact, they come with a variety of issues and odd omissions that would usually be enough to annoy any consumer or enterprise user. The same holds true with Apple’s latest launches, the iPhone 5 and iOS 6. Combined, the two products deliver a really great experience. But when taken as stand-alone products, several issues emerge that will annoy some folks and make others simply scratch their heads. Simply put, neither the iPhone 5 nor iOS 6 is perfect. It’s about time these issues are highlighted just as much as all of their virtues are.

See & read more at :
http://www.eweek.com/mobile/slideshows/iphone-5-ios-6-10-factors-that-need-rapid-improvement/?kc=EWKNLEDP09272012A


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[CharleyO]

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Sony Offering Dual-SIM Xperia Tipo to U.S. Consumers

Sony Mobile today announced the U.S. availability of both the Xperia Tipo and the Tipo Dual. Both devices run Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and feature 3.2-inch displays with 480 x 320 pixels; 3.2-megapixel cameras with video capture; 800MHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processors; and 1500mAh batteries. Other features of the Tipo/Tipo Dual include 2.5GB of on-board storage, support for 32GB microSD cards, as well as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and GPS. Both devices have quad-band GSM/EDGE radios and can be used on AT&T's 3G network. The Tipo costs $179.99 and the Tipo Dual costs $189.99. The only difference between the two are that the Tipo Dual supports two SIM cards. Both devices are sold unlocked.

See & read more at :
http://www.phonescoop.com/articles/article.php?a=11232


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[CharleyO]

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Apple CEO: We 'Fell Short' On Maps

Apple CEO Tim Cook distributed a letter to the company's customers today apologizing for the performance of its Apple Maps software found within iOS 6. "At Apple, we strive to make world-class products that deliver the best experience possible to our customers," said Cook. "With the launch of our new Maps last week, we fell short on this commitment. We are extremely sorry for the frustration this has caused our customers and we are doing everything we can to make Maps better." Apple said that it is working to improve its maps software, but noted that customers may want to seek alternatives. "You can try downloading map apps from the App Store like Bing, MapQuest and Waze, or use Google or Nokia maps by going to their websites and creating an icon on your home screen to their web app.

Read more at :
http://www.apple.com/letter-from-tim-cook-on-maps/

IMHO, Maps is not all that is less than world class with the iphone5 


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[CharleyO]

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Behind Lumia's Bold Colors

Nokia, with help from Microsoft, is reimagining itself. The Finnish company that dominated the mobile phone market for more than a decade and in 2004 gave us the Communicator, among other then-impressive-looking silver and black handsets, eventually found itself no match for Apple's iPhone or Samsung's lineup of Galaxy devices. In February 2011, it gave up Symbian for Windows Phone, refreshed its ranks, and began working to re-establish itself in the minds of consumers ......

On Sept. 5, Nokia introduced two new Windows Phone 8 Lumia smartphones and a number of accessories that together make a strong brand statement. On Sept. 19, however, HTC introduced its own Windows Phone 8 handsets, in colors that suggest the palette is actually Microsoft's and an assertion of the operating system, not the hardware makers.

See & read more at :
http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Mobile-and-Wireless/Microsoft-Not-Nokia-Appears-to-Be-Behind-Lumias-Bold-Colors-784834/?kc=EWKNLEDP09282012A


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[CharleyO]

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Why Apple Dumped Google Maps

Apple Dumped Google Maps due to Lack of Voice Navigation: Report

When asked why Google Maps was dropped from Apple's iOS 6 mobile operating system, both Apple and Google regularly refer to the end of the original five-year partnership the two companies signed in 2007 when the first iPhones debuted.

Skeptics, however, have always felt there was certainly more to the change, including the increasing competitive friction between Apple and Google as they battle more directly in the mobile marketplace.

Exactly, says a new report from The Wall Street Journal's All Things Digital site, which describes the chasm as rooted in the lack of voice-guided navigation in Google Maps. "… multiple sources familiar with Apple’s thinking say the company felt it had no choice but to replace Google Maps with its own, because of a disagreement over a key feature: Voice-guided turn-by-turn driving directions," reported ATD.

While Google's own Android nav app has had voice navigation features for a while, it's inclusion in iOS was apparently not part of the original Apple-Google deal.  That feature is what Apple wanted in a new deal, the story reported. "Requiring iPhone users to look directly at handsets for directions and manually move through each step—while Android users enjoyed native voice-guided instructions—put Apple at a clear disadvantage in the mobile space."

Read more at :
http://www.eweek.com/mobile/apple-dumped-google-maps-due-to-lack-of-voice-navigation-report/?kc=EWKNLEDP09282012B


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[CharleyO]

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Initial reactions to the first BlackBerry 10 phone with keyboard image?

As well as CrackBerry's intial thoughts on the lack of navigation trackpad and straightend out keyboard...

While it wasn't one of RIM's planned news stories for last week's BBJAM event, we did get a first unofficial look at the upcoming BlackBerry N-Series phone. The images showed up on the information super highway thanks to a RIM internal marketing video which appeared to have been haphazardly uploaded by the contracted video editor (people don't say information super highway enough anymore... I'm bringing it back old school).

 The N-Series phone -- the N standing for Nevada and Naples, the codenames for these devices -- which I still can't help but think will eventually be part of the Bold family, couples a physical keyboard to the BlackBerry 10 operating system. 

 The phone appears to feature a form factor extremely similar in size and shape to the BlackBerry Bold 9900, but with a few important design differences. Making room for the now taller 720x720 display, gone is the row of buttons between the display and keyboard, which traditionally features the navigation trackpad and call / menu / back / end keys. As for the keyboard, instead of the smiling keyboard layout of the 9900, it features a linear layout more akin to that of the Porsche Design BlackBerry. These changes are a little startling at first glance, though from my point of view were not unexpected.

See & read more at :
http://crackberry.com/crackberry-asks-what-was-your-initial-reaction-blackberry-n-series-image


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[CharleyO]

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MetroPCS and Deutsche Telekom Confirm Merger Talks

Deutsche Telekom today confirmed earlier reports that it is discussing a strategic tie-up with MetroPCS and its T-Mobile USA subsidiary. Deutsche Telekom said that "significant issues have not yet been finalized" regarding the deal, and it has not reached a final decision on the matter. Separately, MetroPCS issued its own statement confirming the talks. It said, "MetroPCS is in discussions with Deutsche Telekom regarding an agreement to combine T-Mobile USA and MetroPCS. There can be no assurances that any transaction will result from these discussions, and the Company does not intend to comment further unless and until an agreement is reached." T-Mobile and MetroPCS are the fourth- and fifth-largest network operators in the U.S., respectively. T-Mobile provides post- and prepaid services using GSM-based technology and is currently planning to roll out LTE in 2013. MetroPCS provides prepaid services using CDMA technology. It is already deploying LTE in some of its markets. Both companies have 1900MHz and 1700MHz spectrum holdings. Deutsche Telekom has been mulling options for its T-Mobile USA business for years, and failed to sell it to AT&T in 2011.

More through links at :
http://www.phonescoop.com/articles/article.php?a=11257


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[CharleyO]

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The mobile web atlas of Asia Pacific

State of the Mobile Web, July 2012

The Asian continent has been a boon to,economic and technological development over the last few decades. Rapid uptake of technology as soon as it is economically available to users is a trend we see in many Asian countries, especially with the Opera Mini web browser for both smartphones and feature phones.

This month in the State of the Mobile Web report, we take a look at the Asia Pacific region in the State of the Mobile Web report. Overall, there is strong growth in the number of users and they view more and more web pages. One interesting trend observed while gathering this information is the strong growth of smartphones as the preferred device for many users in the area.

Be sure to click on the various countries on the map.

See & read more at :
http://www.opera.com/smw/2012/07/


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The mobile web atlas of Latin America

State of the Mobile Web, August 2012

Latin America shares the large trends with most of the online world, with the “big three”, Google, Facebook and YouTube, occupying the top spots in each of the 32 countries examined in this State of the Mobile Web report, which focuses on Latin America. Spanning from Mexico in the north to Chile in the south, Opera Mini browser users in Latin America like to shop and read up on regional news, as shown in the top 10 lists of sites surveyed for this State of the Mobile Web report. The regional growth is strong, and nearly all countries show a growing user base of Opera Mini users in Latin America. There is also a significant growth in pages viewed on each device and data consumed by the increasing user base.

Be sure to click on the various countries on the map.

See & read more at :
http://www.opera.com/smw/2012/08/


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[CharleyO]

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Kid-friendly MEEP! Android tablet goes on sale

Oregon Scientific Introduces Innovative, Fully Loaded MEEP! Tablet Designed Just for Kids

Oregon Scientific has just launched a a kid-friendly Android tablet, now on sale for a scant $149.99. Though it might have modest specs, the MEEP! tablet includes a whole range of parental controls through a web-based interface and kid-friendly apps, e-books, and games suitable for anyone 6 years old and up. It also comes with a silicone sleeve to help soak up the inevitable punishment your kids will lay into this thing. There's also a whole range of tailor-made accessories to go along with it, like a game pad, headphones, case, and a bunch of instruments for music games.

As much as MEEP! was designed for kids, the tablet also appeals to parents with customizable cloud-based settings that parents can control and adjust without having to take the tablet out of their child’s hands. By simply visiting the Parents Portal on MEEPTablet.com from any device with a web browser (computer, smart phone, tablet), parents can not only hand-pick (“whitelist”) which websites or keywords their kids have or don’t have access to, but they can add words to the tablet’s built-in “bad word” list so their child will not be able to search for those words or use them in the chat feature. Oregon Scientific also maintains a “blacklist” of inappropriate content that is updated by moderators on an ongoing basis which parents can add to. In addition, parents can actively monitor their child’s online activity, limit play time duration and provide a virtual allowance for purchasing apps via MEEP! coins without needing to access the physical tablet.

See & read more at :
http://www.androidcentral.com/kid-friendly-meep-android-tablet-goes-sale


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[CharleyO]

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Windows Phone 8: what's the big secret?

Microsoft's SDK no-show leaves developers frustrated

Even though Windows Phone 8 is lined up for a launch event at the end of this month, many members of Microsoft’s developer community still don't have access to vital tools needed to bring their apps up to speed with the latest features and capabilities. A Software Development Kit (SDK) for the new platform has been released to a limited number of developers under a non-disclosure agreement, but the software giant is taking a secretive approach to Windows Phone 8 in general. What's the big secret?

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There are evidently no big surprises in the SDK and Microsoft’s limited access policy is a different approach — especially from Windows Phone 7, when developer tools were publicly available months before the release — that the company claims is designed to build excitement. "We are working hard to not only continue delivering the best developer tools and resources in the industry, but to also bring Windows Phone 8 to market in a way that creates more opportunity for the ecosystem," a Microsoft spokesperson tells us. Microsoft says early reactions to these devices tells them they’re "on the right track," and that the company "will continue to listen to developer feedback and work to improve our platform, tools and processes with every step."

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The build up suggests the software maker has something special to unveil in late October. If it doesn’t, then many developers and potential Windows Phone owners will be left wondering, "why all the secrecy?"

Read more at :
http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/1/3436922/windows-phone-8-sdk-developers-secret-features


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[CharleyO]

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T-Mobile, MetroPCS Merger Plans Now Official

Deutsche Telekom penned a deal Wednesday to merge its T-Mobile USA unit with rival U.S. carrier MetroPCS, in a bid to grow T-Mobile's subscriber base and position it as a more serious competitor to industry leaders Verizon (NYSE:VZ) and AT&T (NYSE:T).

 Deutsche Telekom announced the merger just one day after it confirmed it was holding talks with MetroPCS to discuss the details of the deal. The German telecommunications company will hold a 74 percent stake in the combined entity, while MetroPCS will hold 26 percent and pay out $1.5 billion to its shareholders.

Read more at :
http://www.crn.com/news/networking/240008378/t-mobile-metropcs-merger-is-now-official.htm?cid=nl_vi&elqTrack=true


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[CharleyO]

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10 Things Steve Jobs Would Have Done Differently at Apple in 2012

Apple co-founder Steve Jobs was inspired and inspiring. When he co-founded Apple with Steve Wozniak, he wanted to create a computer that was naturally intuitive so the average person could use it effectively with minimal training or practice. Jobs stuck to that basic design goal with product after product as Apple grew. After Apple’s board of directors made the misguided decision to dismiss Jobs, he returned a few years later barely in the nick of time to rescue the company he founded from an ignominious bargain buyout by Sun Microsystems. He returned the company to a creative vigor almost unheard of in American business history. Jobs did that by introducing the iPod and revitalizing the Macintosh computer line. Later, the company broke new ground by moving into the mobile market with the revolutionary iPhone and next the iPad. In the meantime, he also proved that Apple’s App Stores could be a big business selling mobile applications. Last year, unfortunately, Jobs died after a long battle with cancer. And for more than a year, his successor, Tim Cook, has been running the company. If one examines Apple’s financials, Cook might look like a fine leader. But someone examining the decisions made over the last year is apt to wonder if Jobs would have done the same. This slide show looks at the many things Jobs probably would have done differently if he was still leading Apple over the past year:

See & read more at :
http://www.eweek.com/mobile/slideshows/10-things-steve-jobs-would-have-done-differently-at-apple-in-2012/?kc=EWKNLEDP10032012A


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[bob3160]

And if the Hare hadn't stopped, he would have won the race.....
Yesterday is gone, tomorrow may never come so the present is all that really counts.

[CharleyO]

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Bob,

I do not make disparaging  remarks about your posts, although I surely could many a times, and so I would appreciate it if you stopped doing so to my posts.

In my posts, I give both good & bad, no matter the brand, as information to those who might want to know.

Thank you,
Charley


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[bob3160]

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Bob,

I do not make disparaging  remarks about your posts, although I surely could many a times, and so I would appreciate it if you stopped doing so to my posts.

In my posts, I give both good & bad, no matter the brand, as information to those who might want to know.

Thank you,
Charley


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Charley,
This may be your post but the information contained in that post isn't yours.
My remarks therefore are directed at the person who wrote the article.
I didn't think that was so hard to understand.